The Lord of The Universe? A Community Organizer? Part I

This past week, several prominent democratic figures and several celebrities have made the following observation, "Jesus was a community organizer; Judas was a governor." As cute as that is (and I wonder how they all get the same talking points?), I feel compelled to comment as the Savior's name was brought into the talk.

As elevating as it is to the image of "community organizer" to say that Jesus was one, the declaration is non-sensical on so many different levels, one doesn't know where to start.

What does the word "community organizer" mean to the modern American? Well, to most people, it means "Barak Obama." Most of us never even heard the term used very often before the Obama resume was nationally floated. What did he do as a community organizer? Most of us (Americans) don't really know.

Some consider community organizers to be noble people who work for justice among the poor. Others consider community organizers to be political hit squads who register dead people in Chicago to vote. No matter which side of the argument you take (and I take neither, because I'm certain there are both), neither extreme, nor anything in the middle, has anything to do with Jesus.

He did not advocate for better treatment of the poor by the government, no matter what the press on Him is. He loved the poor. But He also loved the rich and the middle class. He would sometimes tell rich people to sell what they had and give to the poor, but he also admitted that using a large amount of money to worship him (Mary and the flask of ointment) was not a waste, since the problem of poverty would never be solved and should not be used as an excuse for not spending money on other things that are important ("the poor you shall always have with you."). When telling the rich to sell all, His concern seemed to be as much the soul of the rich man being redeemed as it was the benefit of the poor in the gift. IN any case, He organized no government protests, take overs or campaigns of any kind.

He promised nothing on this earth to his followers but persecution, beatings, jail, family ostracising, and even death. He never once said, "Hey, let me help you gain a better standing of living and get more rights and benefits you deserve. Let me help you be heard and have a voice." No no. this was quite the opposite of what He said.

When people wanted to get with His program for reform, He would discourage them by pointing out that He was a homeless man and that they must be willing to be homeless also, if they were to follow Him ("Birds have nests, foxes have dens, but the Son of Man has no where to lay His head"). He informed them that they would have to serve as those who have no rights at all and be happy about it ("When you have done all, say, 'we are only unworthy slaves doing what we ought to have done.'"). He called them to come and die ("He who loves his life is not worthy of Me.... take up your cross and follow Me").

As for organization, He was more organic in His approach. He trained only twelve men intensively (and one of them was rotten, and Jesus knew it and picked him on purpose). The organization of the other 11 was left to them. "Go and preach the gospel to all creatures" was all the instruction they received.

Just as changing Jesus into a suit wearing, right-wing capitalist is silly, so is changing him into a left-leaning street activist.

Can we all just agree that Jesus falls into a category all by Himself. IN fact, no one can put Jesus into their own category to join their cause. On the contrary, Jesus is His own cause, and calls all in all other categories to leave their cause and join Him.

(As for governors being Pontius Pilate . . . Finally! and explanation for Bill Clinton!!!) :)